Blessing

This past Sunday Isabella was given a blessing and a name for the Church records. Everything went extremly well. I was nervous that Isabella was going to scream during her blessing (she was being a bit cranky, Church is during her nap time), and Tyler was nervous about what he was going to say in Bella's blessing. The blessing Tyler gave her was beautiful. After the blessing we had friends and family over at Nana and Grandpa Williams' house. We had a blast hanging out with everyone! If we missed you, I hope we get to see you this Saturday for our going away BBQ. (Anyone that is reading this is invited) We would love to see everyone one last time before we head off to Texas.
Isabella also had her two month check up this week. She is still tiny, and only weighs 8 lbs. 15 oz. She may be skinny but she is long. She has grown three more inches and is now 23 inches long! She is in the 4th percentile for her weight, and the 55th percentile for her height. I am having a hard time finding clothes that fit and are long enough! She is healthy and developing normally. Everything looked great!
Tyler has been in Texas since Sunday, he left right after the blessing. Although he has answered a lot of questions we have, there are still undecided variables. Tyler had some job interviews and was able to aquire a great position in a Dental Office. The pay and benefits are great and Tyler is excited about the people he will be able to work with. We are still house hunting. . .what a stressful process! And while we continue to look for a house we are trying to decide if Isabella and I should move down with Tyler, or if we should wait until we have closed on a house. Aghh!! So many possibilities! Hopefully everything will go smoothly and we will be able to make it to Texas in one piece. We love you all!! Don't forget to come to the BBQ, e-mail or call us if you have any questions. - Dannielle

Picture Day

Last Saturday we had Isabella's pictures taken. They turned out SO cute! Our good friend Brooke Franco (thanks Brooke) is a photographer; she did a fantastic job! If anyone is interested Brooke charges $40 and $15 for each additional child. She will take pictures until you are ready to be done and will then sit down with you and add any effects that you would like. The best part is she will give you a disc of all your pictures so you can go develop them at your leisure! If you are interested please email Brooke at brookefranco@hotmail.com. She is also willing to do photos outside. If anyone wants her number, we can get it to you. I would highly recommend getting your pictures done by Brooke. Isabella was a stinker during her pictures. Once again, so glad we had Brooke. She was still able to get cute pictures with our unhappy baby. Well we were finally able to get her to sleep, and the pictures are absolutely darling! Hope you enjoy looking at the ones I posted!


Even though Bella is crying in this next one, I thought it was precious.

Uncle Josh loves his niece!

As time goes on, we find ourselves closer and closer to May. We are getting very excited to move foward. I can't beleive we only have four more weeks until we move to Texas! Although our schedule seems to be filling up, we would really love to see as many of you as we can! Don't forget to come see us at Isabella's blessing or our farewell party at the Stark's home. Love you all!! - Dannielle

Pretty Lights

Well it's getting closer. We plan to leave Salt Lake the first weekend of May. Josh and I are going to head out Friday May 2nd, and plan to be in San Antonio by Saturday night. We will probably fly Josh home and fly Dannielle and Isabella down on Sunday the 4th, just in time for Cinco De Mayo! We don't have a place to live or jobs yet, but we are active in our search. The Cutler's have been a wonderful connection and have hearts the size of Texas!

For those that care...We are going to have a few activities before we leave. Isabella's blessing will be held at Dannielle's parents ward(roughly 8420 S and 1450 west)on Sunday April 20th at 1pm. We have personally invited a handful of men to stand in the circle, and are sad that the circle can't hold more people. I usally only go to stuff that I have a part in so for those of you that would just be coming to watch and think that sounds boring, I don't blame you. Why would I go to something I don't get to participate in right?!J/K We understand that even on Sunday's people have obligations and may not make it.

That's why we're having a second party! It will probably be Saturday April 26th and will be an open house style BBQ at Cory and Sheryl's. This is the important one! It's to celebrate my graduation! Hey, Hey, Remember that one time when I didn't graduate high school! Now I have an Associate's Degree from the Community College, and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Utah! How cool am I! Man I hate school! We would like to see as many of you as we can whether it's at Isabella's party or my party.(Dannielle doesn't get one) Please don't second guess whether or not we care to see you. We care to see everyone! Even family, I know we avoid you a lot, but with us leaving for a few years we could probably tolerate you for a few hours before we leave.

We seriously are sad to leave the wonderful support we have here in Utah, but have to take this next step for our future and career. I am amazed how fast time goes by. It seems like a few weeks ago I was in High School, crashing Richard's S-10 into out-houses. Now Everyone's not just married but people have kids too! Like more than one! From Jr. High to High School, my mission and various wards I've lived in since being married I have had great friends. I want to say thanks to all of you for creating so many great memories together. We look forward to seeing everyone over the course of this next month, and wish we could bring you guys with us, but I think people get in trouble for hauling truck loads of people through Texas...

Our First Spring Break With Bella

I don't think I understood how much planning goes into a family vacation. I have new respect for my parents! This past weekend our family went to St. George for Spring Break with the Stark family. The weather was wonderful, hanging out with family was awesome, and we had a blast! Packing for the trip was one story and getting there was another. . . I always knew that taking children on vacations required extra room for packing. However, with all the items needed for our new baby, we were able to fill the trunk and back seat of our trusty Corolla! Holy Cow! We had to bring so many things! Not only that, but we had to bring extra clothes for Isabella's everyday "blowout" occurrence. Although I am being an antagonist about the organization that went into the trip, we had fun. This last weekend was also Isabella's first Easter. Having her in our lives really made me think about Christ's resurrection. I know that I am a child of God, and that Christ was resurrected for me, but looking at my new baby I can understand the unconditional love our Father in Heaven has for us. Words can't describe how special Isabella is to me, I know that Heavenly Father has a wonderful plan for her, and that she was meant to be in our family. Sharing such a special holiday with her was spiritually uplifting, I can only imagine how meaningful this holiday will be when she understands. Love, Dannielle

A Day of Rememberance

Just 22 days after Isabella's spirit was united with her mortal body my grandpa's spirit separated from his. Hugh E. Holt was born on January 23 1921 in Parowan Utah, and left this world Friday March 7 2008. When he was younger he was a basketball star, and a potato farmer, he was also a medic in WWII, and left a wonderful legacy behind. He was a true hero. Not just because he served his country so many years ago, but because he was a good father, husband and most importantly an amazing grandfather. He emulated integrity and honesty. His body was in a lot of discomfort for a lot of years, but he was always doing what he could to keep his mind sharp. I will always remember the sacrifices he made to ensure his family knew they were his first priority. The hours he spent repairing my flat bike tires, and shouts of encouragement he would yell from the sidelines of my little league games. Goodbye Grandpa. We'll miss you.

As Isabella came into this world I found myself pondering over the magnitude of the great plan we are all a part of. Again today and over the past few days I have been thinking of that plan, my thoughts are focused on the phase my grandpa has passed through. I am grateful for the knowledge we have been given of eternal life. How sad it would be to know nothing of the hereafter, and be stuck wondering if there was no greater meaning to this life. I recall a couple I taught on my mission. They were young (thirties) didn't have any kids, and were quite excited to learn about Jesus Christ. They progressed well, but hit a solid wall when we discussed abstaining from Alcohol and Tobacco. The gentleman had a hard time giving those habits up and ultimately did not ever get over that hurdle. It was only a few months later he began suffering from liver failure and passed away soon after. My companion and I attended the funeral services and were rather surprised to find his wife very composed. She believed what we taught her, and had faith in eternal life. She had shed her tears and felt there was no need to weep or worry any longer. Her faith was sure.

Bella's Bath

What a cutie! Bella loves being naked, not the bath part so much, so hopefully we don't end up with a little girl that won't bathe. I can't believe it has been three weeks since we brought our pumpkin home with us. I can't remeber what I used to do! Bella had her first doctor's appointment at the beginning of this week and she is doing great! She now weighs 7 lbs and has grow 2 1/2 inches (she is now 20 1/2 inches). I can't believe how fast she is growing! Her hair is starting to lighten up a bit, we are still trying to decide if it will be red. Her eyes are still grey but they look blue around the edges. Bella is starting to find her voice and makes the cutest sounds. We love you all - Dannielle

First Playdate

We can't believe we've had our little diaper filler home for two weeks now. She had her first playdate today! Cole and Jacee brought Bailey over for a visit. I think they just might grow up and be friends. They'll be able to complain to each other about their quirky dads, and we will blame Cambodia!
It looks like we will be moving to San Antonio somewhere around the 4th of May. I will aim to take the DAT on the 1st or 2nd, load the truck and head out! We are so excited to start this new adventure! We have so many good friends here that we would love to see before we leave so please, if you have a minute to come by for a visit in the next two months we want to see you. Hope everyone is preparing for Easter. Dannielle is ready to accessorize Bella in spring dresses and sandals! We wish you all the best:)

Beautiful Bella

Everything is going great! Bella is now over a week old and is such a sweetie. She is such a good baby, I have to set my alarm clock to wake her up in order to get her to feed during the night. What more could I want? My baby is beautiful, healthy and she lets me sleep! Tyler is getting more and more attached to his little girl. He is constantly dragging me out of the house to show off Bella. Although I don't always want to get ready, I appreciate getting out of the house and it has been fun showing her off to family and friends. Chester is doing really well with our new addition. He is so protective of her. Bella's bassinet sits at the end of our bed and when Bella starts to cry Chester goes to the edge of the bed and peaks into her bassinet. He then looks at us like, "hello, make her stop crying." He also sits on my lap while I am feeding her. . It's so funny to watch him with her! Hope everyone is doing well, love you all - Dannielle

Isabella Marie Stark

What an addition!

She is going to be a heart breaker. If you think she's cute on screen you should see her in real life! Dannielle wanted to name her Bella, but I wanted to have the option of multiple nicknames. We went with Isabella and I am still compiling my list of nicknames. (See list by picture top right) We have to have a middle name within the next 12 hours before they send her home. I'll add it when we decide what it's going to be. (We thought maybe rose, but decided it wouldn't be fair to give her IRS as initials)

Dannielle woke me up Thursday morning at 2:30 and demanded to be taken to the hospital. She was sure this was it! We checked in at about 3am and delivered at 1:37pm. The delivery really went well. Dannielle was awesome. She made it about five hours before giving into the pain and calling for an anesthesiologist. We have had many visitors and always appreciate everyone's support and love whether it be in person, via e-mail or through prayer.

I think Dannielle was born to be a mom she is just fantastic! We love our little angel and are so excited to be parents!-Tyler

Baby Girl Stark was born about 1:30pm on February 14, 2008. She weighs 6 lbs. 2 oz. and is 18" long. Mommy & Baby are doing great.

And....Nothing!

Appointment went well, but the Dr. didn't give us any encouraging news. Looks like more of the waiting game. We are scheduled to be induced Monday night if nothing happens on its own. Dr. says the baby should then come sometime Tuesday! Wish us luck, and don't be shy if you're interested in visiting. I will be holding Wii tournaments at the hospital. If you can pry me or the Dr. away you might be able to battle for a game or two. -Tyler